What to Do If Your Pet Passes Away at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide
Losing a beloved pet is one of the most difficult experiences a pet owner can face. If your pet passes away at home, it can feel overwhelming to know what to do next, especially when their passing was unexpected or sudden. Taking things one step at a time can help you navigate this emotional time with care and clarity.
In this short video, Dr. Faith Banks, owner & founder of MMVHS & Faithful Pet Memorial, shares the top 3 things for pet owners to think about if their pet passes away at home. You can also find a more detailed guide to help you through the process below:
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1. Take Time to Say Goodbye
The first and most important step is to give yourself and your family time to say goodbye. It is essential to allow yourself to grieve and reflect on the time you spent with your pet. Many families find comfort in spending quiet time together, holding or talking to their pet one last time. We recommend that you allow other furry family members to sniff and say their goodbyes as well, to help them with the grieving process.
It’s okay to take as much time as you need before proceeding with the next steps. There is no right or wrong way to handle this stage, as every person grieves differently, and there is certainly no need to feel rushed. For more information on how long a pet can stay at home after it has passed, you can view this informative video from Dr. Faith Banks.
@dr.faithbanks How Long Can Pet Stay Home after it has Passed. #hospicevet #fyp #petcare #peteuthanasia #petdeath💔 #aquamation #cremation #petloss #cadaver #cadaverdog #deceasedpets #rigor #rigormortis
2. Consider Aftercare & Memorialization Options
Once you’re ready, it is time to make a decision about aftercare (if you have not already done so). Some families choose traditional flame-based cremation or burial (either at home or at a pet cemetery). However, many of the families we help in our mobile vet service prefer the idea of aquamation (also known as water-based cremation), an eco-friendly alternative form of aftercare offered through our sister company, Faithful Pet Memorial. With this service, your pet will never leave the care of our compassionate team.
Faithful Pet Memorial offers a range of services to honour your pet’s memory including private aquamation (only your pet’s ashes returned to you) vs. communal aquamation (no ashes returned), viewing & visitations, as well as personalized keepsakes such as clay/ink paw prints, fur clippings, memorial stones, custom engraved urns and more.
If you are unsure about which option is right for you or feel overwhelmed by these decisions, our dedicated aftercare team is here to assist in making these arrangements for your beloved pet. Please reach out to us at 416-767-3572 or info@faithfulpetmemorial.ca if we can help in any way.
3. Prepare Your Pet for Transfer
If you are interested in our eco-friendly aquamation services, you are welcome to bring your pet directly to Faithful Pet Memorial by appointment only. This service is available Monday through Saturday during our regular business hours and we do our best to accommodate same-day appointments when possible. During your visit in our comfort room, we will review your aftercare wishes and allow you to spend a few final moments with your pet before taking them into the care of our compassionate team.
We understand that bringing your pet to us may not be possible for any number of reasons including not having access to a vehicle, difficulty lifting your pet, and/or feeling too emotional at this time. For this reason, we also offer a service called deceased pet transfers where we handle the transportation of your beloved pet from your home to Faithful Pet Memorial, ensuring they are treated with respect and dignity throughout the entire process. With this service, your pet is gently placed in a beautiful basket or on a stretcher wrapped in a soft blanket (depending upon the size of the pet).
In order to prepare your pet for transportation to our aftercare centre, there are a couple of simple steps you can take: 1) Gently wrap your pet in a blanket or towel. 2.) Place your pet in a comfortable position (with their legs tucked in if possible) in a room that is cool and free from direct sunlight to help preserve their body.
For more information about these services or to book an appointment, please reach out to our team at 416-767-3572 or info@faithfulpetmemorial.ca.
4. Grieve and Seek Support
Finally, it’s important to give yourself space to grieve. Losing a pet can bring up a wide range of emotions, and it’s normal to feel sadness, emptiness, or even guilt. Don’t hesitate to reach out to family, friends, or pet loss support groups to help you through the healing process.
We are here to offer guidance and resources, helping you with everything from aftercare arrangements to emotional support. Our goal is to ensure your pet’s passing is handled with the respect, care, and love they deserve.
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About Midtown Mobile Veterinary Hospice Services
At Midtown Mobile Veterinary Hospice Services, we are dedicated to helping people say goodbye to their pets with dignity and respect. We bring our services to our patients’ homes where they can be cared for in a quiet, familiar environment surrounded by their loved ones.